A ‘msg’ to all drivers: put down that phone
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Usually once a day, sometimes more, I witness a fellow driver engaging in truly obnoxious behavior. Their vehicle in motion, sometimes up to speeds of 60+ miles per hour, they’re weaving back and forth in their lane and as I get closer I see the driver’s head bent low over their phone … texting.
When my young son, not quite 2 years old, is riding in the backseat, I have to admit - the first thing I see is red. This idiot I’m sharing the road with is endangering the life of my young son with their careless behavior. I’m a pretty easy-going person. There are very few things that illicit such a strong response. But once you’ve dialed in on protective mom-mode, and I think that goes for all moms, you offenders better watch out.
Henceforth, I will report every episode I encounter to law enforcement. People who text while they drive can and should, at the very least, be cited for reckless driving. What they really are is an accident waiting to happen. Their offense to me is equivalent to drinking and driving – maybe worse. At least an intoxicated person has impaired judgment. A sober person texting has made an intentional decision to be careless on the road.
According to Montana law, a person commits the offense of reckless driving when they exhibit a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Sounds to me like the definition for texting while driving.
It’s unfortunate that a proposed law making it illegal to text message while driving didn’t pass during Montana’s last legislative session. As of this month, 34 states and the District of Columbia have banned text messaging while driving.
In a safety article published by the American Automobile Association in Sept. 2009, “… AAA Foundation research shows that approximately 1 in 5 U.S. drivers admit to texting while driving at least once in the last 30 days.”
That’s a whole lot of distracted driving, folks. And let’s be honest, texting isn’t the only distraction drivers face. Simply talking on or answering a cell phone can steal your attention from the road. But texting takes the level of distraction to very dangerous and potentially lethal heights.
No phone call or text conversation is more important than your life. Whatever the call, it can wait. If it can’t wait, pull over.
We all have to share the road. Let’s be respectful of each other by driving safely.
